Tourists from Japan take photographs outside the Houses of Parliament in London (Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett) / Reuters

A well-meaning official manual for tourist industry workers, instructing them how to cater to the needs of foreigners during UK visits, has been accused of racially stereotyping the very people it aims to please.

VisitBritain, the government’s agency with a budget of nearly £30
million a year, which is tasked with bringing as many visitors to
the UK as possible, releases a detailed inside guide on tourists
from most destinations for use by British hoteliers and
operators.

It does not appear that government officials considered that
actual tourists might get their hands on the open-access
documents – only to see themselves portrayed as demanding,
irrational, and odd in very country-specific ways.

For example, Russians “may come across as cold and not very
open or polite”, while “spending more than they can
afford” during their sojourn to the UK.

This “tall nation” will be disappointed by the size of
hotel rooms in London, so any hoteliers are advised that the
“ceilings and doorways should better be of a suitable
height.”

The “big bread lovers” and “hearty eaters” are
also to be served “preferably brown bread” with the
three hot meals a day that they expect.

While Russia’s voracious giants present one set of demands, the
easily-flustered Chinese are an entirely different proposition.

Apparently, Chinese tourists dislike ghost stories, “beds
that are too soft”, and four poster beds (which are said to
lead to “ghostly encounters”). They also hate talking
about money, and any fillet meats “which are considered to be
uninteresting foods”. Instead the Chinese will
“recourse” to “comfy” meals such as
“stir-fried leafy vegetable” and “spicy food”.

Indians “have a tendency to change their minds quite
frequently”, but not when it comes to bargaining, which they
will engage in “whenever they see an opportunity”.

They are also “not confident drivers”, like to ask
“unnerving personal questions” (but in good faith) and
shun credit cards because they bring “temptation” and
are “difficult to understand”.

While it is unsurprising that ‘exotic’ tourists are described in
a striking light, those from more familiar cultures apparently
pose their own problems.

The French are a “private people” who don’t “smile
or make eye contact with strangers”, but nonetheless
“won’t hesitate to challenge you or complain if something is
not to their satisfaction”.

Germans can come across as “demanding, aggressive and
rude”. They also like “to plan in advance” and
collect “detailed information on all activities” as well
as being obsessed with “cleanliness”.

And Australians are “sarcastic”, “intolerant” due to
long flights, and almost never tip “unless the service was
exceptional” for cultural reasons.

Unsurprisingly, the official documents have caused a stir after
being republished by local newspapers in many of the countries
that received an unflattering write-up. More than one newspaper
pointed out that the instructions may as well have been written
by Basil Fawlty the hotelier from the classic 1970s sitcom,
famous for failing to hide his prejudices towards the vast
majority of his customers, particularly those hailing from
abroad.

But VisitBritain, which says that more than 30 million foreigners
visited the UK last year, spending more than £20 billion, has
defended the guide, saying it has been an important part in
making the country a top destination.